Sarabjit Singh, the Indian prisoner on death row in Pakistan, was attacked by five fellow inmates in the courtyard of the Kot Lakhpat jail in Lahore on Friday afternoon. HT reports. Border tension

Sarabjit Singh, the Indian prisoner on death row in Pakistan, was attacked by five fellow inmates in the courtyard of the Kot Lakhpat jail in Lahore on Friday afternoon.

He was admitted to the intensive care unit of Jinnah Hospital in an unconscious state and underwent a CT scan. “He suffered a serious head injury and we are going to operate on him to save his life,” a doctor said.

The attack looked coordinated — and not spontaneous as claimed by jail authorities — eyewitnesses said. They added that Singh was assaulted with sticks and shards of glass following a heated argument with the Pakistani prisoners who are also on death row. Jail officials said the attackers also used knives smuggled into the prison.

As officials started an inquiry, the jail was sealed and the attackers put under detention.

Singh’s family termed the assault a conspiracy to kill him. “How can such a brutal attack take place inside the jail? This is a conspiracy against the life of my brother,” said Dalbir Kaur, Singh’s elder sister. She added that the Pakistan government must issue the family members visas so that they can visit him.

Singh’s wife Sukhpreet Kaur said, “The Indian government has been silent on the issue, which is why my husband is being treated badly.”

The Indian high commission in Islamabad has contacted the Pakistan foreign office to ascertain the facts and requested it to provide assistance to Singh.